On May 8, 2025, two seminarians of the Diocese of Virginia received awards during their graduation from Virginia Theological Seminary.
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton received the Woodward Award for the Reading of Scripture and Liturgy. This award is given in memory of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Underwood Dudley (VTS 1867), by his granddaughter Katherine Woodward, to a graduating student who “has demonstrated excellence in the public reading and interpretation of the Scriptures and the Liturgy.”
The Rev. Kara Laughlin received the Ronnie A. Yoder prize for the submission of her poem entitled Salvation, a poem that explores the story of the Good Samaritan.
The Ronnie A. Yoder Scholarship was established by the Honorable Judge Ronnie A. Yoder “to advance the study of love as an appropriate center of Christian theology, life, preaching, and practice, and to explore love as an ecumenical theme unifying all of humankind’s religions.” Scholars enrolled in Anglican and Episcopal seminaries or universities, engaged in Anglican studies, or graduate practitioners in an Anglican/Episcopal context are eligible to apply by submitting an essay, poem and/or musical piece that explores the centrality of love in Christian doctrine, scripture, creeds, liturgy, worship, music and practice, as well as exploring these questions with respect to other world religions.
About The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton
The Rev. Joy Y. Warburton is dedicated to the call God has placed on her life, rooted in a deep love for the Word and a commitment to helping others encounter the sacred through scripture and worship. Grounded in both tradition and pastoral sensitivity, her vocation is shaped by a desire to serve as a bridge between tradition and lived experience, creating space for all of God’s people to hear God’s voice afresh. On August 1, 2025, Rev. Warburton will begin her new call as Associate for Family Ministries at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Great Falls.
About The Rev. Kara Laughlin
The Rev. Kara Laughlin is a transitional deacon in the Diocese of Virginia, currently serving at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Sterling, VA. Prior to becoming a student at VTS, she attended St. James’ Episcopal Church in Leesburg, VA, where she volunteered in youth and children’s ministry. She has over 30 years’ experience as a professional writer, and has published more than 60 nonfiction children’s books. Throughout her time at VTS, she has frequently incorporated the reading and writing of poetry into her spiritual practice and into class assignments. Her love of language extends to Biblical languages as well. During her time at VTS, she completed three semesters in Biblical Languages (two in Hebrew, one in Greek) and audited Greek this spring. Last fall, she received the Jane A. Morse Award for Old Testament Languages.
Learn more about these awards here.